A NEW report will pave the way for “turbocharging” Otley’s nature recovery action plan which “cannot afford to fail”, the Town Council said today.
Otley Town Council commissioned a Biodiversity Report which has been accepted by the council’s Environment Committee.
They say it will aid the fight to make Otley “a great place for nature and its enjoyment”, and the council is setting up a working party to bring groups and individuals together to get the proposals moving.
Tom Featherstone, Town Councillor with responsibility for the Gallows Hill Nature Reserve and working party member, said: “The Council has responsibility for our wonderful nature reserve and for 285 allotments, both of which are vital green spaces for the town. We will study the report carefully and take sensible steps to protect our precious wildlife.”
Chair of the Town Council Richard Hughes added: “There is a broad community wish to help nature in Otley. There are also many amazing people doing just that. Armed with this report, the Town Council is determined to support and record this work.
“The thrill of seeing a kingfisher or a goosander on the Wharfe or experiencing a rich variety of Otley habitats and green spaces must not be lost to future generations. We cannot afford to fail.”
The report, full title The Baseline Habitat Survey and Biodiversity Audit, was written by Otley based Haycock and Jay Associates.
It says there is “a biodiversity crisis in the UK with wildlife under pressure as never before…[and] evidence that Lower Wharfedale is not immune.”
It then goes on to describe the conditions of the parish’s habitats and makes recommendations for next steps.
The Town Council says it is convinced that people in Otley want to reverse the trend of wildlife loss and, by declaring a local biodiversity emergency in 2022, and ensuring that its 2023 10 Point Plan made a commitment to nature, the Council showed its determination to act.
It is involved in the local Nature Recovery Plan and, as part of that support, paid for the Biodiversity Report, which will act as a guide for further action.
The Otley Nature Recovery Plan was launched in November 2022 by Otley Nature Network, Wildlife Friendly Otley and Otley 2030 as a commitment to work with the Council in responding to the nature emergency.
It sets out steps to reverse the decline in local wildlife. The report allows the groups committed to the plan to become even more specific in their actions, facilitating education and information, directing habitat restoration and allowing the recording and celebration of progress.
Town Councillor Sue Stepan has also joined the working party. She said: “There are a lot of local groups and community members who are already doing great things for Otley’s environment, and I am looking forward to working alongside them to improve biodiversity in the town.”
One of the key organisations that is already partnering with the Council on nature recovery is Wildlife Friendly Otley. Jane Smith, a trustee of the group, said: “Wildlife Friendly Otley is delighted to be working with Otley Town Council to implement the Nature Recovery Plan for Otley. We are looking forward to creating more wildlife corridors to halt the decline of our wildlife, and to help residents to leave space for wildlife in their gardens.”
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